April 11 2015

Yannick Bolasie

Yannick Bolasie inspired Crystal Palace to a brilliant 4-1 win away at Sunderland.

The winger netted an 11-minute hat-trick in the second half to become the first Palace player to score a Premier League treble.

It was a tepid first half, with the wind making it difficult for both sides to play good football, while there were some tasty challenges from the home side.

Eagles left-back Papa Souaré bore the brunt of one strong challenge by the touchline and limped off with what looked like a dead leg in the 35th minute.

Palace got their noses in front three minutes after the break as Glenn Murray nodded home Bolasie's deflected cross at the far post for his sixth goal in as many games.

The duo combined three minutes later when the DR Congo international pounced on Murray's flick to slot past Costel Pantilimon.

Seconds later, Bolasie made it 3-0 by skilfully lofting the ball over onrushing Pantilimon. Then in the 62nd minute, he got his third of the day and Palace's fourth, by showing great determination and strength to beat off attempts from Pantilimon and two defenders to score from Murray's pass.

Sunderland pulled a goal back in the 90th minute through Connor Wickham but it falied to ruin Palace's day. The Eagles ended up recording their first league win at Sunderland since 1979 in what was their eighth win in 12 league games since Alan Pardew took charge in January.

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Jones, O'Shea, Vergini, van Aanholt, Gomez (Johnson 59), Cattermole (Bridcutt 65), Rodwell, Wickham, Fletcher, Defoe.

Not used: Mannone, Coates, Reveillere, Buckley, Graham.

Palace: Speroni, Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare (Kelly 35), Jedinak, McArthur (Ledley 69), Zaha, Puncheon, Bolasie (Sanogo 71), Murray.

Not used: Hennessey, Hangeland, Gayle, Ameobi.

2014/15 match reports

2014/15 squad stats

Premier League table

How did you get on in the Prediction League?

Did you take any photos of the game? Upload them here

Rate the players' performance here